Analysis on the concept of an infinite series of high school students
Infinite series is defined as the sum of an infinite sequence of terms. As is evident from the definition, infinite series contains several complex mathematical concepts such as in...
Analysis on the concept of an infinite series of high school students
Infinite series is defined as the sum of an infinite sequence of terms. As is evident from the definition, infinite series contains several complex mathematical concepts such as infinity, sequence, sum, and limit. Understanding infinite series is important because it is foundational to calculus concepts in advanced mathematics learning. However, because developing an intuitive and correct understanding of the concept of infinity is difficult, it follows that teaching and learning the concept of the infinite series can also be a challenge.
In the context of intuitive thinking about infinity, students initially accept that an infinite series is an infinite adding process. However, to develop an accurate understanding of the infinite series, an infinite series has to be recognized as an object, so as to apply its property and the theory properly. Dubinsky's APOS theory reported the formation of mathematical concepts and understanding as an interactive process between the process and the object. This transition of the process to the object is described by the behavior, process, object, and schema. In this study, the analysis of students’ formation and understanding process of the concept of the infinite series is framed by the APOS theory.
The sample consists of five 2nd grade high school students. Students solved problems and engaged in semi-structured interviews for an in-depth analysis of the thinking process of the students.
Genetic decomposition of the concept of an infinite series begins with the sequence schema. Sequence schema forms a general term schema through a process of generalizing, this general term and the sum of the sequence's schema forms partial sum's schema through a process of coordination. In addition to this process, the process of forming the other partial sum schema can generate a new progression, partial sum from infinite series such as through the process of adding an infinite series of infinitely internalized, partial sums is recognized as objects and being able to think of a new sequence, finding a generalized process to obtain a general term for this sequence of rules. The schema is formed via . After forming partial sum schema, through either one or both processes, the coordination of the partial sums schema and the schema of limit schema form the schema for the infinite series or its sum.
The findings from the study suggest that students are familiar with the process of obtaining a general term in the infinite series of the partial sums, bot unfamiliar with sequence of partial sum, which indicates the need for a didactical approach. On the other hand, understanding the connection between the two courses that comprise partial sum seems it would have a significant impact on the schema of an infinite series.
The limit schema of sequence contains several mathematical content, but findings from this study suggest that depending on the kinds of connection about infinity a student has, the trajectories for learning about infinite series could differ significantly. Infinite concepts about potential infinity or actual infinity, depending on the concept of infinite series in the formation have a significant impact. This study shows that students intuitively understand the concept of potential infinity, bot not necessarily the concept of the practice of infinity. Causing limit concept of the infinite series to encapsulation process is also affected in dealing with difficult and interfere with the complete encapsulation of the infinite series. To correct encapsulation, there is a need to understand an infinite series as a practical concept that consists of the limit schema of sequence.
This study describes students’ reflective abstraction and other mathematical concepts involved in the conceptual construct of an infinite series, by identifying the genetic decomposition of the concept of an infinite series. Using such findings in pedagogy and textbook development may provide more opportunities for students to reflect on genetic decomposition of the concept of an infinite series.